Calcitonin (Thyrocalcitonin)

Test ID:

702808

CPT code:

82308

Synonyms:

Thyrocalcitonin

Clinical Use:

Detection and confirmation C-cell hyperplasia (the precursor of medullary carcinoma of thyroid) as well as a tumor marker for diagnosis and management of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Preoperative serum calcitonin is reported to roughly correlate with tumor weight or extent of disease; therefore, postoperative levels also have prognostic application. The doubling time of serum levels correlates with a recurrence.1 Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type II includes medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, hyperparathyroidism, and pheochromocytoma (Sipple syndrome). MEN type IIB includes medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pheochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas, marfanoid habitus, and intestinal ganglioneuromatosis.2 An important use of calcitonin assay is in follow-up of patients with medullary carcinoma and work-up of their families to detect early, subclinical cases. Indications for calcitonin assay include family history of unspecified type of thyroid cancer, calcified thyroid mass, thyroid tumor associated with hypercalcemia and/or pheochromocytoma, amyloid-containing metastatic carcinoma with unknown primary site and the presence of mucosal neuromas.

Specimen Type:

Serum, frozen

Requested Volume:

1 mL

Minimum Volume:

0.4 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Container Type:

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

Patient Preparation:

Patient should be fasting.

Collection:

Separate serum from cells. Transfer the serum into a PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap. Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.